DVT because of inactivity?

Terry's Tidbits: My Wake Up Call

Possibly my week of watching college basketball was not very good for me, although I am on my feet all day while at work. I am not the most active person when away from work and I will be the first to admit that I am overweight. I don’t recall injuring my leg; however I am always bumping it against something at home or at work. My dad also has a history of blood clots that started when he was about my age. I suppose the cause for my blood clot could be any combination of these.

The blood clot should dissolve on its own. There are things I can do to lessen my chances or to prevent another blood clot. Now, I will probably wearing support stockings or compression socks for the rest of my life. I will also be taking blood thinners such as coumadin or warfarin. My other big lifestyle change will include walking regularly to get exercise and stimulate circulation.

Vital Signs - Risks - Study Ties Dirty Air to Blood Clots in Legs - NYTimes.com

Vital Signs - Risks - Study Ties Dirty Air to Blood Clots in Legs - NYTimes.com: "Exposure to air pollution increases the risk for deep vein thrombosis, the blood clots that commonly occur in the leg veins. And the worse the air pollution, the higher the risk."

Driving you to Danger - Preventing Blood Clots (DVT) During Long Trips

This short online video shows the effects of long travel trips and causes of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots. See LegHealth.com for more details. Prevention of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and Blood Clots During Long Trips

Online Interactive Tool for Support Hose - What Level of Compression is Right for You?

What Level of Compression is Right for You?

New - from Healthy Legs.  We can help you determine the correct level of
gradient compression for your support hose.

Nurses track their mileage in Support Hose

Nurses track their mileage in Support Hose(HometownAnnapolis.com)

A few times a week, Irine Devroude slips on her sneakers and prepares for a long bout of stretching and cardio.
But Ms. Devroude isn't going to the gym, she's heading to her shift at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. The nurse spends her 12-hour shifts navigating the 46-bed unit on the second floor of the main building. The task requires daily treks to the pharmacy and lab, and assisting patients on other floors.
So it came as no surprise to the Crofton resident when she wore a pedometer and noticed that she walked about 4 to 6 miles each shift. On a particularly brutal day, she walked 9 miles, the most she's ever done.

"Unfortunately, our floors are concrete," Ms. Devroude said. "The first thing I've been doing from day one is wearing support hose. For that reason, it keeps my legs from being that much more tired."

Ms. Devroude and other nurses at BWMC wore pedometers for a 2-week period this year to see how much walking they get in. Many nurses logged 3 to 6 miles in an eight-hour shift. Nurses who work 12-hour shifts walk even more. Anne Arundel Medical Center did a similar effort with its nurses last year.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended walking as a good form of exercise, along with common chores such as gardening and washing cars.

For a month in 2003, researchers surveyed the walking habits of nearly 150 nurses working 12-hour shifts. It found that the nurses walked 4 to 5 miles per 12-hour shift, and 1/3 to 1/2 of a mile per hour worked, according to results published in the August 2006 issue of MedSurg Nursing, the Journal of Adult Health.

The article also cited an ongoing study on nurses' health and found that those who are ages 40 to 65 experienced reduced diabetes and stroke. Yet the constant walking could also accelerate fatigue and exacerbate underlying muscle injuries, according to the study.

At AAMC's emergency room, the movement is constant and the brands of shoes are abundant. The nurses wore Birkenstocks, Danskos, sneakers or whatever makes them the most comfortable. Nurse Sally Grimm opts for Danskos.

"A typical (registered nurse) in this department would walk from one end to the other at least multiple times every day," said Ms. Grimm, a clinical educator. "It's what we do and we try to develop a system that will make us efficient about where we walk. The bottom line is, you have to get to point A and point B and you have to do it a lot."

The work of BWMC nurse Debbie Russell takes her around the campus, sometimes to four buildings. She works in the hospital's breast program and aids patients who are being treated for breast cancer, from diagnosis to surgery and radiology. She averages 4 miles per shift, but her most has been 7 miles.

Ms. Russell takes her own precautions for walking. She opts for sneakers and usually replaces them every 6 months.

She also wears sunscreen and a hat when she has to go outside during warmer weather. As if the constant walking wasn't enough, Ms. Russell also does yoga when she isn't working.

"I make sure that when I can sit down, I do sit down," said Ms. Russell, of Odenton. "(But) my calves are in good shape."

New Website from Healthy Legs® Support Hose for Men and Women

Leg Health from Jobst,
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A simple, easy to use resource with support hose for women
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The Sheboygan Press - Ask the Trainer: Type II diabetic needs advice on exercise program

The Sheboygan Press - Ask the Trainer: Type II diabetic needs advice on exercise
program:

"Before putting on the shoes, check for pebbles or other small objects inside
that could cause problems.
Smooth
socks should be worn during exercise and changed after a workout to prevent
health issues. Sweaty socks increase the chance of getting athlete's foot. Feet
are to be checked daily for scratches, cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails, corns,
and calluses. Immediately contact a doctor for ingrown toenails, athlete's foot,
and cuts or sores that are not healing."

Pregnancy and Work Can Work - washingtonpost.com

Pregnancy and Work Can Work - washingtonpost.com:


"If sitting for a long time during travel, try to get up for a walk at least once an hour to decrease your risk of forming blood clots in your legs. Also, consider wearing support or pressure stockings."

Foot Pain As A Result Of Gardening, By Board-Certified Podiatrist | Bones Health

Foot Pain As A Result Of Gardening, By Board-Certified Podiatrist | Bones Health

Many gardeners will experience foot pain this season as a result of overlooking the needs of their feet. But a few minutes of preparation and good common sense can keep gardeners comfortable all season.


“Gardening is an exertive weight-bearing activity and should be considered a sport rather than a passive hobby,” said Dr. Paul R. Kasdan, a board-certified podiatrist and medical director for OurHealthNetwork.com. “As with any sport, one should make sure to wear appropriate foot gear, and to properly stretch before engaging in the activity.”


During weight-bearing activities or sports, the feet play an important role in supporting weight, balancing stance to reduce falls, and movement. They also act as shock absorbers. Foot problems commonly associated with weight-bearing activities like gardening are usually due to wearing inappropriate footgear, or the lack of proper warm-up exercises.


“To always be pain-free, the feet must be encased in the proper shoes and socks. If the shoes do not provide proper support and cushioning, then the feet lose efficiency and problems eventually occur,” Dr. Kasdan said.

Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT

Video from the Today Show with Melanie Bloom discussing ways to prevent DVT.
Great summary of DVT risk factors. More information at
PreventDVT.org

About DVT
Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common but serious medical condition that occurs in approximately two million Americans each year. DVT occurs when a thrombus (blood clot) forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation. The condition may result in health complications, such as a pulmonary embolism (PE) and even death if not diagnosed and treated effectively.

The best way to reduce your risk of DVT is to talk to your doctor about your risks, especially if you have cancer or certain heart or respiratory diseases.

NASA Assists With Circulation Problems

A Mars Odyssey » Blog Archive » NASA Assists With Circulation Problems

“People, primarily women, between the ages of 35 and 50 might experience cold feet, night cramps, leg and buttock pain while walking and general pain and swelling in the legs,” said Les Lindsay, Director of the Future Wellbeing clinic in Bicester. “This is often an indication of a developing circulation problem which, if untreated, can significantly worsen potentially requiring surgery down the line.

Pregnancy Related Low Back Pain - use of Support Stockings

Pregnancy-related Low Back Pain

By Darryl B. Sneag, AB; John A. Bendo, MD
ORTHOPEDICS 2007; 30:839

An enduring debate in pregnancy care is whether low back pain is an inevitable or perhaps even essential component of a healthy pregnancy. Some have suggested that low back pain may perform a functional role as a protective agent by focusing women’s attention on the physical stresses their bodies are undergoing, thereby making them more cautious during pregnancy. Regardless, diagnosis and treatment of low back pain present formidable challenges to patients and their health care providers.

In women with nocturnal pain, decreased time spent sleeping in the supine position may alleviate symptoms. Advising women to sleep on their side may reduce pressure on the vena cava and resolve pain that is possibly vascular in origin. Several apparati may also provide significant relief. A wedge-shaped pillow can support the gravid uterus and abdomen while lying on one’s side. Women using such a pillow reported less backache than women using a standard cushion.

In addition, stockings that promote venous return may reduce lower extremity edema and nocturnal low back pain.

read the complete article

Vitamin K linked to fewer varicose veins, better vascular health

Vitamin K linked to fewer varicose veins, better vascular health

23/08/2007 - Inactivation of a vitamin K-dependent protein may contribute to the development of varicose veins, says a new study that highlights the role of supplementation for improving vascular health.

The study, published in the Journal of Vascular Research, indicates that inadequate levels of vitamin K may reduce the activity of the matrix GLA protein (MGP) to reduce vascular proliferation and mineralisation, thereby stopping the development of varicosis.

Varicose veins have an estimated prevalence of between five to 30 per cent in the adult population, with women three times more likely to develop varicose veins than men.

Leg exercises for spider veins

If you spent quite a bit of money to get rid of your spider veins the last thing you want is for them to come back. If you haven't got them yet - taking steps to prevent spider veins is important - especially if you think you could be vulnerable.

One thing that can definitely help is exercising your legs - especially the lower calf muscles. Exercising your legs helps improve circulation and stops blood pooling in the lower leg area - a definite no-no if you want to avoid vein problems.
Walking is great exercise for the lower leg area - either out in the open or on a treadmill especially with the incline level raised. Try to walk rather than take the car or the escalator or elevator wherever you can.

For a specific targeted exercise that you can do anytime at home - try calf raises, heel or tip-toe walking and foot rocking:

Calf raises: You need a stable, firm raised area - something like a low bench or aerobic step. Alternatively the first step on your stairs at home will do. Stand on the step with both feet so that your heels extend over the edge of the step. Make sure you are close to a wall or rail so you can hold on to balance if you need to. Then raise yourself up on your toes and lower your heels down below the step. Repeat 30-50 times. You should feel the stretch at the back of your calf mucles. Do the exercise at least once a day and ideally twice.

Tip-toe walking: When you're working around the house inside or out - go up on tip-toes to do your chores - vacuuming, putting dishes away, walking around the kitchen. You may feel a little stupid but who cares? Again you feel the exercise stretching the calf area.

Heel walking: Similar to the previous exercise but instead of going up on tip-toe you raise your toes off the ground and take the weight on your heels. This feels even more stupid but it's a great simple exercise for your calves.

Foot rocking: This is ideal to exercise your lower legs when you're sitting for long periods of

time. Raise your toes so that your heel is the only bit of your foot in contact with the floor. A bit like raising your heel over a pedal in the car or playing the piano. Then place the foot back down elevate the heel so your toes are in contact with the floor. Try to do this in one rocking movement with both feet at once.

When you get tired - give your legs a proper break.
Lie on the floor on your back with your legs and feet raised up against a wall and a pillow under your hips for comfort. Rest this way for about five minutes and gravity will help to push the blood back to the heart. Remember it's gravity you're up against in dealing with spider veins.
The great thing about doing these exercises - not only do they help prevent spider veins - you get shapely, well-defined legs too!

Diabetic Foot Care for Summer

Feet first: Diabetics need to keep toes under wraps during summer

Jane Oppermann


Just when we think it's OK to kick back and relax, people with diabetes enter their summer season of high alert. Forget the flip-flops, walking barefoot in the grass or on a sandy beach or even stretching out in the sun for a snooze. If you're diabetic, you know summer is the time to be safety savvy.
"Diabetics are not entitled to the luxury of walking barefoot in wet grass or walking barefoot anywhere, I'm sorry to say," said Donald J. Arenson, a podiatrist with offices in Elk Grove Village and Elmhurst. "An insect bite that would puncture the foot or stepping on a sharp object can lead to infection that can quickly become out of control."

There's a type 2 diabetes epidemic going on. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs later in life and accounts for about 90 percent to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of the disease, reported the National Institutes of Health. Nearly 21 percent of people age 60 or over in the U.S. have diabetes. Since 1990, the incidence of diabetes has increased by 5 percent each year, fueled by growing obesity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting last month in Chicago.

Nearly 60 percent of people with diabetes have neuropathy, or nerve damage to their feet, causing numbness or inability to feel pain. That means that many foot problems go undetected.
A sunburn, irritation from shells in the surf, a too-hot hot tub and even a pedicure can cause foot injuries that can lead to big problems.

"We remind our diabetic patients that they are cerebrally disconnected from their feet," Arenson said. "You have to substitute your other senses, namely your eyes and the eyes of your family. You have to inspect your feet every day."

Arenson tells of one patient, an attorney, who lost his law school class ring. The attorney was unaware the ring had fallen into his shoe until that night when he took his shoes off and found the ring had worn a hole in his foot.

Foot ulcers are the number one cause of most diabetic hospitalizations. Other diabetes-related foot and leg problems include conditions that everyone else battles: corns and calluses; dry, cracked skin; nail disorders; hammertoes and bunions; brittle bones; and blocked arteries in the calf.
But here's the rub - poor circulation and reduced blood flow make infections harder to fight and heal. The rate of amputation for people with diabetes is 10 times higher than for people without the disease.
With proper care, diabetic's feet can last a lifetime. Doctors say that nearly 50 percent of amputations might have been prevented with daily foot checks.

"We tell our patients they must treat their feet like fine china," Arenson said. "Doing a daily foot check has got to be almost a religion."

That means inspecting your feet carefully every day, looking for areas of redness, swelling or cracks. Check between your toes. Check socks for blood or fluid stains. Wash your feet daily in warm, not hot, soapy water. Moisturize the soles of the feet with unscented lotion immediately after bathing (scented lotions contain alcohol and can cause dryness.) Check shoes to make sure nothing is hiding in there. If your feet are cold, don't use a hot water bottle or heating pad to warm them - wear socks instead.
Remember, in hot weather, remain on high alert: Don't wear sandals or flip-flops and never, ever go barefoot. It's one way to save your feet and stay a step ahead of this disease.

Will Your Medical Insurance Pay for Support Hose?

Helpful Tips for Successful Reimbursement

While Medicare does not cover compression hosiery except for treatment of Venous Stasis Ulcers ( more info ), we've heard from many of our customers that they have found the "recipe" for success.We've posted a couple of new items in our knowledgebase that might help you get reimbursed for your support hose.

The first is a document from Aetna that outlines the criteria that must be met for reimbursement from some of their plans ( more info ). Overall, if your physician has prescribed at least a compression of 20mmHg for one of their listed medical conditions, they would cover compression hose in their listed medical plans.

While we can't guarantee success for everyone, just sending this document with your claim may help. If you have any questions about this document, just send us a message ( email for document questions ) and we'll do our best to help.

Medicare and Insurance FAQ can be found here.

Eat wisely, fly safely

Advice on eating to avoid DVT while Traveling

The sheer immobility of sitting in a plane (or coach, train or car) for more than four hours slows down the blood flow, and flying in a pressurised cabin can cause a further problem because some of the fluid component of your blood moves into surrounding tissues (the process which causes our ankles and feet to swell when we fly).

This makes our blood thicker and more prone to clotting.
If you add a meal rich in saturated fat into the mix, the problem may intensify, because saturated fats raise the levels of blood-fats after eating, which activates a substance called Factor 7 — a central component of the blood-clotting mechanism.

“While no specific clinical research has been done to find out if one-off fatty meals in-flight will push you over the edge and trigger DVT,” says the nutrition scientist Sarah Stanner of the British Nutrition Foundation, “in theory, eating fatty meals could make a difference”.

Many airlines have responded by offering lighter food options — indicated by their Well-Being symbol — which include dishes lower in fat, salt and sugar and higher in fibre (BA does this).
It is also a good idea to contact the airline before you fly and order a special meal. Virgin airlines offer a “low fat/low cholesterol” option, for example, which is well worth looking for.

If this is not possible, and you find yourself confronted with a standard in-flight main meal, then try to cut down on one of the following: the relatively harmless-looking cheese and biscuits, the extra butter that goes with your bread roll, the synthetic puddings and treats like ice cream that many airlines offer between meals.

Doctors Unite In Their Fight Against Economy Class Syndrome

Doctors Unite In Their Fight Against Economy Class Syndrome

Air travel is associated with a two- to threefold increased risk of developing thrombosis, experts said at the 12th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Vienna (Austria). Doctors urge the EU and national governments to help make air travel safer by supporting research into preventing travelers' thrombosis.

The case of a young English woman who died shortly after a long haul flight from Australia in 2000 has gradually faded from public consciousness. That is unfortunate. Her death highlighted a problem that has long been grossly neglected: the risk to air travelers of venous thrombosis. A contributing factor to the cramped seating in economy class flights may be specific to the cabin environment, i.e. the low air pressure.

With two billion people boarding a plane annually, the danger venous thrombosis presents should be taken very seriously, says Professor Frits R. Rosendaal, from the Leiden University Medical Center (NL), at the European Hematology Association Congress meeting in Vienna from 7 to 10 June 2007. A recent WHO project (the WRIGHT, or WHO Research Into Global Hazards of Travel, project), the results of which are about to be made public, has shown that air travel is associated with a two- to threefold increased risk of developing blood clots in the legs, (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE)."

The risks of developing thrombosis when traveling are higher for people with certain common abnormalities in the blood, for women who use birth control pills, or people who use sleeping pills on a flight, as well as for people who are very tall, very short, or overweight", Professor Rosendaal says. "There may be a 50 to 100-fold increase in risk for people with combinations of those factors."

CBS correspondent tells of day the bomb went off - now wears support stockings

CBS correspondent tells of day the bomb went off - now wears support hose

After speaking with several of the soldiers and their families, Dozier contacted veteran CBS producer Susan Zirinsky and said, "I have a story to tell." The result is Flashpoint, a documentary about the aftermath of the bomb, which airs at 10 p.m. Tuesday, exactly a year after the explosion.

The prime-time special, anchored by Katie Couric, recounts the chaos immediately after the blast and its ripple effects months later.

Dozier still has to wear support stockings to keep her legs from swelling, but she's able to run again and is itching to return to the Mideast. She's still discussing her next assignment with CBS, but it won't be Baghdad again - for now, at least.


"What we tried to do in this program is not just show what happened to our crew, but show what happens when one of these bombs goes off - and they go off, as you know, pretty much every single day - what happens to so many people and how many lives are affected," said CBS News president Sean McManus.

The hourlong piece, which will be presented with limited commercial interruption, is unflinching in its portrayal of the bomb's carnage. There are scenes inside a Baghdad hospital of Dozier lying on a bed with gashed legs, screaming through her breathing tube - images captured by a CNN crew that happened to be filming that day. Bloodied soldiers writhe in agony on nearby gurneys.

The emotional repercussions of the attack have not yet subsided. CBS producer Kate Rydell is consumed with guilt that she insisted that the Army let both Douglas and Brolan go on the patrol, instead of just Douglas.

Sgt. Justin Farrar, Funkhouser's driver, feels he let down his captain by not protecting him from the explosion. "I should have been by you, sir," he says tearfully during the program, standing at Funkhouser's grave
.
For months, Dozier was dogged by memories of that day. But the experience also "leaves you with the strength of your convictions in a way I never had before," she said. "It reinforced what I already knew - why it was important to explain why these men and women were doing this job every day."

Yoga to Treat Varicose Veins

Yoga to Treat Varicose Veins

Varicose veins occur when the valves get damaged and hamper the flow of blood in one direction. The blood gets pooled in the area and the vein swells thus causing varicose veins. These swollen veins can cause severe pain. It is a common condition that mostly affects the legs and feet, especially of women. It is common among middle aged and elderly people. Yoga is very effective in treating Varicose Veins. It helps in alleviating pain and also prevents future attack.